We left Monteray last Tuesday morning to head down the I-1 which is the road which has featured in numerous films and is known as the Big Sur. The scenery is dramatic as the road twists and turns around the mountains and ocean, over huge viaducts and tunnel passes. It takes about 4 hours to drive the 90 miles as for most of the journey you are crawling along at 30mph due to the bends.

Near the towm of Paso Rombles a huge colony of elephant seals have made the beaches their homes. The females had just given birth so it was a great time to see ther baby seals protected by huge males at the edge of the beach. If you get to close, they definetely tell you about it. The beaches are literally covered with seals, the estimate is about 7,500 live in the area

We went to visit Hearst Castle which was built by the media tycoon William Randolph Hearst as a show piece, he has been compared to Charles Foster Kane from the movie Citizen Kane. The castle is built on a mountain overlooking the ocean. The whole place is totally over the top and extravagent. He purchased musuem pieces from all over the world and his living quarters are shaped like a cathedral. He also had his own private zoo.

We stayed the night in a gorgeous village called Cambria before hitting the highway again to go to Santa Barbara.

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Sounds like ye're having a ball. I'm just saying goodbye to my sister who's getting on a plane to oz today. Seems like the world is moving on without me. To make matters worse I've got to start spending mre time in Limerick come next week (aaahhhhh!!!). How'd vegas go?? Have ye seen any gigs or anything yet?? Keep us all posted. Your mildly jealous friend, Al